WSP03527

• File Number: 822.600.10
• Description: Colorado River Annual Operating Plan - Annual Reports
• Basin: Colorado Mainstem
• Date: 1/1/2003
• Author: USDOI/BOR
• Title: Annual Operating Plan
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Annual Report

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September 2002
OClober 2002

100 efs (2.8 ems)
o cfs (0 ems)

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Additionally, the CRWCD entered into a contract with Redlands to compensate Redlands for lost
hydropower revenues due 10 the reduced waler diversions. and Seel Energy Company made
temporary modifications to Redlands hydropower contract 10 make the compensation costs
reasonable.

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In water year 1002. the Aspinall Unit was operated in cooperation \vith this shared shortage
agreement to provide benefits to water users and fish and wildlife. including endangered fish. while
minimizing the dra\.... on unit storage 10 a reasonable extent. As was formally agreed by all parties,
pursuant to the aforementioned agreements. water year 2002 operations were undertaken to lessen
the impacts of the severe drought conditions to a reasonable extent. and do not establish or set any
precedent that such operations will continue or occur again in the future.

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In January 2000. a draft report titled. "Flow Recommendations to Benefit Endangered Fishes in the
Colorado and Gunnison Rivers" was submitted to the Upper Colorado River Recovery Program _
Biology Committee. The report compiles and summarizes the results of research conducted on
endangered fish in the Gunnison and Colorado Rivers under the Upper Colorado Recovery Program.
ThiS report presents flow recommendations for t\VO different river reaches: one for the lower
Gunnison River between Delta and Grand Junction. Colorado. and the other for the Colorado River
downstream of the Gunnison River confluence. Based upon comments and objections by numerous
parties, these flow recommendations are undergoing additional review. It is anticipated that
revisions to the draft repon will be completed in late 2002 or early 2003. Following the issuance of
final flow recommendations. Reclamation intends to initiate a National Environmental Policy Act
compliance process to detemline the impacts of the flow recommendations. or a reasonable
alternative to them. on Aspinall Unit operations and on other resources associated with the Gunnison
River.

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On January 17. 2001. the National Park Service. through the Department of Justice. filed an
application to quantify the federal reserved water right decreed to the Black Canyon of the Gunnison
National l\.tonument. The water right is for flows in the Gunnison River through the Black Canyon
of the Gunnison National Park do\vnstream of the Gunnison Tunnel. Reclamation is continuing to
work with the National Park Service and Western Area Power Administration. using a daily time
step computer model. to evaluate the effects of a reserved water right on Aspinall Unit operations.
The: model will also be use:d in conjunction with the State ofColorado's model to analyze the effects
of the reserved righl and the flow recommendations for endangered fish. once the flow
recommendations have been completed.

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For water year 2003. the Aspinall Unit will be operated in accordance with the Colorado River
Storage Project Act to conserve storage while meeting downstream delivery requirements. Under
nomlal conditions. the minimum release objectives of the Aspinall Unit are to meet the deliyery
requirements of the Uncompahgre Valley Project. maintain a flow of 300 cfs (8.5 cms) in the
Gunnison River through the Black Canyon of the Gunnison i\ational Park. and maintain a minimum
Oow ofJOO cfs (8.5 cms) in the 2-mile reach below the Redlands Di\.crsion Dam during the summer

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December 13. 2002

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